This post shows you the Best Day Trips from Amsterdam by Train or Bus
Looking for the best day trips from Amsterdam by train or bus?
You don’t need a car or a guided tour.
It’s easy to explore charming towns, peaceful nature, and cultural gems nearby.
In this guide, I share my favorite day trips —
simple to reach and full of local character.
Haarlem – Historic Streets, Art and a Quieter Canal Life
Just 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal, Haarlem feels like a calm, elegant cousin to the Dutch capital.
It has cobbled streets, cozy cafés, and canals, with fewer tourists.
The city’s heart is Grote Markt, where historic buildings frame a lively square.
Visit the local market on Saturday for Dutch cheeses, breads, and flowers — perfect for a quick snack.
Don’t miss the Frans Hals Museum, which is dedicated to one of the great Dutch Golden Age painters.
Even if you’re not into art, the building and courtyards are worth a look.
For local eats or events, I Amsterdam has updated tips on cafés, museums, and more.
How to Get There
Take an Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal — it runs every 10–15 minutes.
The ride takes just 15 minutes and costs €5.20 one way.
From the station, it’s a short walk to the historic center.
Leiden – Canals, Museums and a Taste of Old Holland
Just over 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Leiden is filled with canals, history, and a calm university-town feel.
Visit Pieterskerk or climb the Burcht van Leiden, a small hilltop fort with lovely rooftop views across the city.
Look for the mural near Rembrandt’s birthplace, then stop by one of Leiden’s compact museums — perfect for a rainy afternoon.
End your visit with a quiet canal stroll or a coffee by the water, surrounded by locals and students.
How to get there:
Take a direct Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Leiden Centraal.
The ride takes about 36 minutes and costs €11.30 (second class).
It’s just a 10-minute walk from the station to the historic city center.
Utrecht – A Local’s Favorite Just 30 Minutes from Amsterdam
Utrecht is just 30 minutes from Amsterdam and full of charm. Locals love it, and many tourists don’t even visit.
The canals are unique — walk along terraced paths below street level lined with cafés, benches, and bikes. It’s peaceful and scenic.
Don’t miss the Dom Tower, the tallest in the Netherlands. Climb up for views, or explore Domplein and its historic vibe.
Wander to Ledig Erf and the Louis Hartlooper Complex, a cozy cinema in an old station. Utrecht feels creative, calm, and local.
How to get there:
Take an Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht Centraal. The ride takes 26 minutes and costs €9.40.
You’ll arrive right in the city center via Hoog Catharijne mall.
Peaceful Villages Near Amsterdam by Train or Bus
Monnickendam – Quiet Streets, Lakeside Views and a True Dutch Village Feel
Just 30 minutes north of Amsterdam by bus, Monnickendam is a peaceful town filled with charm, red rooftops, and quiet canals.
Unlike nearby Volendam, this village feels genuinely local—no crowds, no gimmicks—just daily Dutch life in a beautiful, slow-paced setting.
You can take the direct bus or turn it into a small adventure. Start in Ilpendam and walk or bike through the countryside.
Pass by sheep, open fields, and quiet waterways. This kind of slow travel shows why the Netherlands feels so naturally connected.
Once in Monnickendam, stroll along the harbor, admire the historic gabled houses, or relax at a lakeside terrace.
Visit the small local museum inside the old weighing house — it reveals the town’s maritime and fishing history.
How to get there:
Take the 315 or 316 bus from Amsterdam Centraal (IJzijde, behind the station). The ride takes about 25–30 minutes.
You can also get off in Ilpendam for a 1.5–2 hour walk or a shorter bike ride through the Waterland countryside.
Ouderkerk aan de Amstel – River Views, Local Cafés and an Easy Walk from the City
If you want a quiet escape without leaving Amsterdam, walk or bike south along the Amstel River.
You’ll find one of the calmest and most scenic stretches of Dutch countryside just minutes from the city.
The route follows the river past houseboats, parks, and open meadows — a peaceful contrast to Amsterdam’s busy streets.
It’s ideal for slow travel, offering nature, quietness, and a glimpse of everyday life beyond the city.
After about an hour on foot, you’ll arrive at Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. It’s a small village with a peaceful rhythm and riverside charm.
The walk or bike ride takes you past houseboats, grazing sheep, open meadows, and old bridges. The scenery reminds you why slow travel is worth it.
Once in the village, you’ll find cafés with terraces by the water and the Oude Kerk, a 12th-century church.
This route is perfect if you want to take one of the best day trips from Amsterdam by train or bus while close to the city.
If you want to follow this scenic route step by step, I shared the whole experience in this post: Amsterdam Amstel River Hike
How to get there:
You can walk or bike from central Amsterdam, follow the Amstel River south for a peaceful, scenic route.
Prefer something quicker? Take the 170 or 174 bus from the city. In just 20 minutes, you’ll reach Ouderkerk.
Nature-Filled Day Trips from Amsterdam by Train or Bus
These nature escapes are all less than an hour from Amsterdam. They’re perfect if you’re looking for something more peaceful than museums or nearby cities.
Amsterdamse Bos – Forests, Lakes and Peace Just Outside the City
Amsterdamse Bos is a massive green space, three times the size of Central Park — perfect for a peaceful nature break.
It’s technically part of Amstelveen, but it’s easy to reach by bus or bike from Amsterdam’s city center.
There are walking trails, bike paths, and even a goat farm for families or curious visitors.
You’ll also find canoe rentals, open meadows, and small lakes where locals relax or swim in the summer.
Despite being so close to the city, Amsterdamse Bos feels miles away. It’s ideal for travelers who want to disconnect without spending a full day in transit.
How to get there:
Take bus 170 or 172 toward Amstelveen from Amsterdam Zuid or Station RAI and leave at “Van Nijenrodeweg.”
It’s about a 20–30 minute ride.
Zuid-Kennemerland National Park – Sand Dunes, Forest Trails and Wild Bison
Just outside Haarlem, Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland offers a peaceful escape.
The landscape includes quiet forests, dunes, and wide coastal trails.
I’ve been there twice — it truly feels like stepping into an enchanted world.
The park has a network of marked walking routes, some leading to the beach at Zandvoort aan Zee.
You’ll pass pine and oak forests, open fields, and rolling dune valleys with beautiful, changing scenery.
If you’re lucky, you might spot wild bison. They live in a protected area, visible from designated viewpoints.
Zuid-Kennemerland is a national park near Amsterdam, perfect for walking through dunes, forests, and spotting wildlife.
How to get there:
Take the Sprinter train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zandpoort Noord. The ride takes less than 30 minutes.
From the station, you can access the park directly.
Final Thoughts on These Peaceful Day Trips from Amsterdam
You might be drawn to historic cities like Utrecht or Leiden, or quiet villages like Monnickendam and Ouderkerk.
I like to combine city life with nature. I enjoy museums and architecture, but also need quiet moments outdoors.
Exploring a place like Amsterdam is amazing, but stepping into green spaces, riverside trails, and small towns adds balance.
If you’re the same, these day trips from Amsterdam by train or bus will give you the best of both worlds.
They’re easy to reach and show you the peaceful, local side of the Netherlands, beyond the crowds.
Helpful Travel Resources for Day Trips from Amsterdam
The NS (Dutch Railways) official website offers English schedules and real-time updates, making checking train times and booking tickets easy.
This post shows you the Best Day Trips from Amsterdam by Train or Bus
Other Itineraries and Walks in the Netherlands You Might Enjoy
Amsterdam 3-Day Itinerary: Best Ideas to Plan Your Trip
Amsterdam Self-Guided Walking Tour – Explore the Canals
Hiking in the Netherlands – Discover Nijmegen’s Scenic Trails
Hiking in the Netherlands – Discover Nijmegen’s Scenic Trails